Joshua 6: Lessons from the Battle of Jericho for Defeating Satan’s Strongholds and Receiving Your Full Spiritual Inheritance

Jean Fouquet (1420-1477/81) “The Conquest of Jericho”1

Introduction: This chapter retells the story of the Jews’ conquest of Jericho after Joshua received the battle plan from a pre-incarnation of Jesus Christ. This story should be read on three levels. First, the Jews’ ultimate victory showed that God is faithful to keep His promises. The fall of Jericho was also the critical first step in the conquest of the Promised Land. Jericho stood as a fortress gateway, guarding the hill country in the central portion of Israel. After taking Jericho and the nearby city of Ai, the Jews could invade the lower plains and divide the country in half. Second, the account should also be understood in the context of the spiritual warfare that takes place within every believer. After you accept Christ, the Holy Spirit dwells inside of you. You have in effect made it to the Promised Land. Yet, because Satan is still the ruler of this world, you must constantly wage war against the desires of the flesh inside your body: “For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit . . .” (Gal. 5:17). Just as the Jews made no provision for the non-believers, you must make no provision for the desires of your flesh. Third, the account should be read prophetically in the context of Christ’s future redemption of the Earth, His judgment of sin, and His future Millennial Reign. God also reveals seven lessons on defeating Satan’s spiritual strongholds in your life so that you may receive your spiritual inheritance.

First, before the battle began, Jesus assured Joshua that He had already defeated the enemy. From this, He reveals that He has already defeated your spiritual enemy as well. Just as the Jews had to be patient to reclaim the Promised Land, believers must be patient for Christ to reclaim the Earth. Second, from Jesus’ battle plan of marching silently with the ark around Jericho for seven days, He reveals that He has won the battle through our faith alone in His mighty power. He only requires that you show up and that you believe in Him. Third, through the symbolism in this chapter of seven references to the number seven (49 when multiplied together), God draws an analogy to the redemption of the land after the 49th year, called the “Jubilee”. Through this symbolism, He reveals that faith and obedience will allow Him to restore your spiritual inheritance and free you from the strongholds of the evil one. Fourth, from His instructions to the Jews to seize the things of Jericho, He reveals that He wants you to seize your spiritual inheritance and use it for His glory. Yet, though His warnings to the Jews not take idols or gold, He wants you to avoid the worldly things that may cause you to become covetous. Fifth, through the invasion on a Sabbath, He reveals that He expects you to labor for Him on the Sabbath. Sixth, through the salvation of Rahab and her later inclusion into Jesus’ lineage, He confirms that He can use you no matter how bad you have sinned in the past. You only need to repent to receive His forgiveness. Finally, from Joshua’s curse upon Jericho, He reveals that He wants you to warn others of the coming judgment and curse if they fail to repent and accept Christ.

1. Have Faith Because God Has Already Won the War. Josh. 6:1-2.

2. Through Faith Alone, God Will Bring Down the Enemy’s Strongholds. Josh. 6:3-14.

The Jews obey God’s command to march around Jericho for six days2

3. Through Faith, God Will Restore Your Spiritual Inheritance. Josh. 6:15-16.

4. Through Faith, Seize God’s Gifts, But Not the Evil Things of the World. Josh. 6:17-19.

5. Make the Sabbath a Time For Spiritual Warfare. Josh. 6:20-21.

By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down3

By faith, Jesus can also destroy any stronghold in your life4

6. God Can Use You No Matter How Bad You Have Sinned in the Past. Josh. 6:22-25.

7. God Wants You to Save Others Trapped in Satan’s Strongholds. Josh. 6:26-27.

Don’t let Satan rebuild his strongholds in your life5